Tommy Lyons: Galopin Des Champs can seal legacy in Cheltenham Gold Cup
FRIDAY FEELING: Jockey Paul Townend celebrating on Galopin Des Champs. Pic: David Davies for The Jockey Club/PA Wire.
Galopin Des Champs can gallop into greatness by winning the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup on the final day of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.
Trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Paul Townend are seeking a fifth win in the race, a figure which would make the Cork jockey the winning-most rider in the race’s history and would put Mullins alongside Tom Dreaper as the winning-most trainer.
The Audrey Turley-trained nine-year-old has looked better than ever this term, winning the Savills Chase in great style and following up in the Irish Gold Cup when he had to quicken up off the sedate pace he set.
There aren’t too many chinks in his armour for this uncomplicated sort, and his power in a finish can prove the decisive factor as he bids to join Arkle, Best Mate and Cottage Rake as three-time winners of the race.
King George winner Banbridge is stepping into the unknown with regard to the trip but there was much to like about the way he finished off at Kempton. This is an altogether different test, but Joseph O’Brien’s runners always deserve the utmost respect.
On this occasion, a bigger danger to the favourite is the Gavin Cromwell-trained Inothewayurthinkin, who was a late addition to the race.
Winner of the Kim Muir Handicap Chase at this meeting in 2024, he made a successful step up to Grade One company at Aintree, and while he hasn’t managed to get his head in front in three outings to date this season, there was much to be made of his most recent effort in fourth place in the Irish Gold Cup.
Just a seven-year-old, with plenty of potential to improve further, if his jumping holds up at this level of competition, he can give Galopin Des Champs something to think about.
The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle has long been a fiercely competitive betting heat and Friday’s Festival closer is every bit as tough as any previous running. Despite that, Wodhooh makes plenty of appeal in this 24-runner contest.
Gordon Elliott’s mare made her hurdling debut at the Listowel Harvest festival of 2023 and was awarded the race in the stewards’ room having been touched off by subsequent Galway Hurdle winner Nurburgring.
Since then, she has not needed the intervention of the officials as she has won all five subsequent starts, including last time out at this venue when readily accounting for subsequent winners Joyeuse, Take No Chances and Royale Margaux.
A mark of 141 means she is second highest rated in this race and must carry 11 stone 8lbs but there is little doubt that her latest effort indicated she can climb much further up the ratings. Danny Gilligan is a great jockey booking in a race such as this, and this exciting five-year-old can extend her perfect sequence over hurdles to seven.
There is a most obvious potential fly in the ointment in Kopeck De Mee, who has plenty of winning form in France but is yet to be seen in action on these shores. It is an open secret that Willie Mullins’ runner works better than a 136-rated horse, and if it is the case that he wins on the bridle it will probably be little surprise to anyone. However, at this point we don’t know enough about him to take the short price on offer.
The JCB Triumph Hurdle is a tricky contest, but East India Dock has all the right attributes to come out on top. There was much to like about Lulamba’s British debut, while Hello Neighbour has never done anything on a racecourse. Add in a whole host of horses who are thoroughly unexposed, and factor in that Willie Mullins is responsible for 11 of the 18 runners, some of which have not yet raced for him, and this is a punting minefield.
Only 16 runners have been declared for the William Hill County Hurdle, but it is a fantastic race. There are many cases to be made, but Lark In The Mornin is undoubtedly dangerously well in off a mark of 132 and that sways the verdict in his favour. Joseph O’Brien’s horse contested the Fred Winter at this meeting in 2024 and effectively won with his head in his chest. Just 10lbs higher this time, his claims are crystal clear.
The hat-trick seeking McLaurey is another to appeal as potentially being a long way ahead of his handicap mark, and Emmet Mullins’ horse will love a fast-run race over this trip and course. Willie Mullins has Kargese and last year’s winner Absurde at the top of the market, and both have the class to be leading players in a fascinating race.
The Grade Two Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase is a disappointing race but that won’t matter to connections of the winner. Dinoblue would normally be one to take on, but the alternatives are not great, and she should get the job done.
The Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle has an open look to it, but last season’s Champion Bumper winner Jasmin De Vaux should go close if his jumping does not hinder him. He was certainly better in that department when fourth in a Grade One on his most recent start, and this track and trip can help bring out the best in him. The Big Westerner is a mare of considerable potential and will be hard to keep out of the frame.
1:20 East India Dock
2:00 Lark In The Mornin (nb)
2:40 Dinoblue
3:20 Jasmin De Vaux
4:00 Galopin Des Champs
4:40 Angels Dawn
5:20 Wodhooh (nap)
1:20 Lulamba
2:00 McLaurey
2:40 Allegorie De Vassy
3:20 The Big Westerner
4:00 Inothewayurthinkin
4:40 Allmankind
5:20 Raglan Road
